| Country: | Pakistan |
| Details of Formation: | The PAC was founded in June 2008 by Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch, also known as Dakait, a known criminal. With its foundation the Lyari gang war ended. PAC quickly aligned with the PPP-led governments both on the national level and in Sindh province. PAC’s rival MQM alleges that PAC was formed by members of two rival gangs in the Lyari area. |
| Details of Termination: | In 2011, the MQM boycotted all assemblies on the national and provincial level due to the continued fight with the PAC, which were aligned with the PPP. After negotiations between the MQM and the PPP, the government banned the PAC mid-March 2011 and stated a crackdown against criminal elements would follow. At the same time, the PAC announced that it would cease to exist. Its power structure remained intact, their leader Uzair still owns a good reputation among workers, and PAC’s social projects continue with a new name (Lyari Resource Centre). According to MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar, PAC workers engaged in revenge killings against MQM members and supporters after it was disbanded. Target killings continue not only by PAC, but also by the MQM against the PAC. |
| Purpose: | The PAC’s main purpose seemed to be fighting the MQM, the political rivals of the PPP party. |
| Organisation: | The chairman of the PAC was Lyari Shahid Rehman Baloch, who was killed by police according to a news source from February 2010. His successor was Uzair Baloch. The PAC enjoyed support from the Sindh government and had contact to Interior Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza. They also had a strong link to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). |
| Weapons and Training: | -- |
| Size: | -- |
| Reason for Membership: | Members included disgruntled PPP activists and jobless youth. Some of them wanted to win acceptance and support through humanitarian work the PAC was involved in. Another news source alleges that the PPP provided PAC members with food, clothing and shelter. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | The PAC committed many target killings, which sometimes involved residents of Lyari. Most killings were directed against MQM members, who are a separate PGM and as such not civilians. It is not clear if the ‘residents’ refer to MQM members residing in Lyari or to civilian residents. |
| Other Information: | The group is closely linked to the PPP and is involved in targeted killings of MQM members, the coalition partner of the PPP. Consequently, there is a rivalry between the PAC and the paramilitary part of the MQM (coded as PGM as well). PAC members are also often targeted and killed by MQM members. |
| References: | Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD |